Summary
Prostaglandins exhibit a variety of actions on intestinal smooth muscle depending upon the type, dose and muscle layer studied. As the cellular origin of prostaglandin H (PGH) synthase has not been established with certainty in the human gut wall, we studied the localization of PGH synthase in the human duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon by immunohistochemistry. PGH synthase immunoreactivity appeared to be similar in all segments of the intestine. Most smooth muscle cells seemed to contain PGH synthase; however, the reaction in the lamina muscularis mucosae was much stronger than in the longitudinal and circular muscle layers. Endothelial cells in capillaries and larger vessels showed a positive reaction. In addition, unidentified cells in subserosa, at the level of Auerbach's plexus and in the submucosa were stained. We concluded that the smooth muscle cells of the human gut has a rather large capacity for PGH synthesis and the present results may provide a basis for a better understanding of both normal physiological functions as well as intestinal disease states involving disorders of prostaglandin synthesis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ali M, McDonald JWD (1980) Synthesis of thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-prostaglandine F1α by bovine gastric mucosal and muscle microsomes. Prostaglandins 20:245–254
Bennett A (1976) Prostaglandins and the alimentary tract. In: Karim SMM (ed) Prostaglandins: physiological, pharmacological and pathological aspects. Lancaster, England, pp 247–276
Bennett A (1978) Prostaglandins. In: Turner P, Shand DG (eds) Recent advances in clinical pharmacology. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh London New York, pp 17–30
Bennett A, Fleshler B (1970) Progress in gastroenterology. Prostaglandins and the gastrointestinal tract. Gastroenterology 59:790–800
Bennett A, Murray JG, Wyllie JH (1968) Occurrence of prostaglandin E2 in the human stomach, and a study of its effects on human isolated gastric muscle. Br J Pharmacol 32:339–349
Bennett A, Eley KG, Stockley HL (1975) Modulation by prostaglandins of contractions in guinea-pig ileum. Prostaglandins 9:377–384
Bennett A, Stamford IF, Stockley HL (1977) Estimation and characterization of prostaglandins in the human gastrointestinal tract. Br J Pharmacol 61:579–586
Bennett A, Hensby CN, Sanger GJ, Stamford IF (1981) Metabolites of arachidonic acid formed by human gastrointestinal tissues and their actions on the muscle layers. Br J Pharmacol 74:435–444
Boughton-Smith NK, Hawkey CJ, Whittle BJR (1983) Biosynthesis of lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase products from [14C]-arachidonic acid by human colonic mucosa. Gut 24:1176–1182
Chen MC, Sanders MJ, Amirian DA, Thomas LP, Kauffman G, Soll AH (1989) Prostaglandin E2 production by dispersed canine fundic mucosal cells. Contribution of macrophages and endothelial cells as major sources. J Clin Invest 84:1536–1549
Devine CE, Somlyo AV, Somlyo AP (1972) Sarcoplasmic reticulum and excitation-contraction coupling in mammalian smooth muscles. J Cell Biol 52:690–718
DeWitt DL, Rollins TE, Day JS, Gauger JA, Smith WL (1981) Orientation of the active site and antigenic determinants of prostaglandin endoperoxidase synthase in the endoplasmic reticulum. J Biol Chem 256:10375–10382
DeWitt DL, Day JS, Sonnenburg WK, Smith WL (1983) Concentrations of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase and prostaglandin I2 synthase in the endothelium and smooth muscle of bovine aorta. J Clin Invest 72:1882–1888
Ferreira SH, Herman AG, Vane JR (1976) Prostaglandin production by rabbit isolated jejunum and its relationship to the inherent tone of the preparation. Br J Pharmacol 56:469–477
Hilkens J, Buijs F, Hilgers J, Hageman Ph, Calafat J, Sonnenberg A, Van der Valk M (1984) Monoclonal antibodies against human milk-fat globule membranes detecting differentiation antigens of the mammary gland and its tumors. Int J Cancer 34:197–206
Kao HW, Zipser RD (1988) Exaggerated prostaglandin production by colonic smooth muscle in rabbit colitis. Digestive Dis Sci 33:697–704
LeDuc LE, Needleman P (1979) Regional localization of prostacyclin and thromboxane synthesis in dog stomach and intestinal tract. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 211:181–188
Mikkelsen HB, Rumessen IT, Thuneberg L (1990) Prostaglandin H synthase immunoreactivity localized by immunoperoxidase technique (PAP) in the small intestine and kidney of rabbit and guinea-pig. Histochemistry 93:363–367
Rollins TE, Smith WL (1980) Subcellular localization of prostaglandin-forming cyclooxygenase in Swiss mouse 3T3 fibroblasts by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. J Biol Chem 255:4872–4875
Rumessen JJ, Thuneberg L (1991) Interstitial cells of Cajal in human small intestine. I. Ultrastructural identification and organization between the main smooth muscle layers. Gastroenterology 100:1417–1431
Sanders KM (1984) Role of prostaglandins in regulating gastric motility. Am J Physiol 247:G117-G126
Sanders KM, Northrup TE (1983) Prostaglandin synthesis by microsomes of circular and longitudinal gastrointestinal muscles. Am J Physiol 244:G442-G448
Smith WL, DeWitt DL, Allen ML (1983) Bimodal distribution of the prostaglandin I2 synthase antigen in smooth muscle cells. J Biol Chem 258:5922–5926
Whittle BJR, Vane JR (1987) Prostanoids as regulators of gastrointestinal function. In: Johnson LR (ed) Physiology of the gastrointestinal tract, vol 1. Raven Press, New York, pp 143–180
Zifroni A, Treves AJ, Sachar DB, Rachmilewitz D (1983) Prostanoid synthesis by cultured intestinal epithelial and mononuclear cells in inflammatory bowel disease. Gut 24:659–664
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mikkelsen, H.B., Rumessen, J.J. & Qvortrup, K. Prostaglandin H synthase immunoreactivity in human gut. Histochemistry 96, 295–299 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00271349
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00271349